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The only practical choice initially is Uranium-235, which occurs at 0.7 percent in natural uranium, the rest being U-238. U-235 is fissile, whilst U-238 is not. Reactors using natural uranium have been built but need either graphite or heavy water for the moderator. The US has used another route which is to enrich the uranium to 4 to 5 percent and use light water as the moderator, and most countries are now following this type of reactor, as enrichment costs using centrifuges are now much reduced.
During burnup of the fuel some of the U-238 is conerted to plutonium, which does not occur in nature. Pu-239 is also fissile and can therefore be used in replacement fuel, but it has first to be separated out from the used up initial fuel by a chemical process. In Europe this has been done and a mixed oxide fuel produced (MOX) which contains both U-235 and Pu-239. I think the US will also do this in the future, but probably using ex military sources for the Pu.
Another route is to irradiate Thorium to produce U-233 which is fissile and then separate that chemically. This is possible but has yet to be done on a commercial scale, and it is not yet economically worthwhile, though some countries with a lot of thorium have interest in the method.
What else can I help you with?
Is a nuclear power plant producing electricity an example of nuclear fusion?
No, a nuclear power plant producing electricity is an example of nuclear fission, not fusion. In nuclear fission, the nucleus of an atom is split, releasing energy, whereas in nuclear fusion, atomic nuclei combine to release energy.
What is the process of splitting of a heavier nucleus into lighter with the release of energy called?
Fission is the word you are looking for, but the less massive nuclei of the daughter atoms are usually far less stable than the nucleus of the parent, which is why nuclear waste from plant that uses uranium as fuel is extremely dangerous but nuclear fuel for the plant is not.
How is nuclear energy formed?
Some nuclei, notably U235 and Pu239, can be made to cause a chain reaction where neutrons are produced in nuclear fission, and propogate more subsequent neutrons so that a steady rate of fissions can be achieved. Each fission releases an amount of energy in the form of heat, which is then used in generating plant similar to that in a fossil fuelled power plant.
What is it called when nuclear fission is repeated?
It is called nuclear chain fission reaction.
What is the difference between nuclear fusion in the sun and nuclear fission in a power plant on earth?
Fusion and fission are opposing processes. In the sun, hydrogen atoms are fused together to form helium. On earth, the most commonly used element is uranium, which is split into smaller atoms.
What nuclear reaction is used to the Bataan power plant?
The Bataan nuclear power plant uses nuclear fission as the nuclear reaction to generate electricity. In nuclear fission, the nucleus of an atom is split into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy, which is harnessed to produce electricity.
Is a nuclear power plant producing electricity an example of nuclear fusion?
No, a nuclear power plant producing electricity is an example of nuclear fission, not fusion. In nuclear fission, the nucleus of an atom is split, releasing energy, whereas in nuclear fusion, atomic nuclei combine to release energy.
A fission nuclear power plant uses what kind of reaction to generate heat?
A fission nuclear power plant uses nuclear fission reactions to generate heat. In this process, the nucleus of an atom is split into smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat. This heat is then used to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.
What type of reaction happens inside a nuclear plant?
A nuclear chain reaction nuclear fission
What type of reaction happens inside a nuclear power plant?
A nuclear chain reaction nuclear fission
Where is the Nuclear Fission Power plant in Alaska?
There is no nuclear power plant in Alaska.
What is the process of splitting of a heavier nucleus into lighter with the release of energy called?
Fission is the word you are looking for, but the less massive nuclei of the daughter atoms are usually far less stable than the nucleus of the parent, which is why nuclear waste from plant that uses uranium as fuel is extremely dangerous but nuclear fuel for the plant is not.
How is nuclear energy formed?
Some nuclei, notably U235 and Pu239, can be made to cause a chain reaction where neutrons are produced in nuclear fission, and propogate more subsequent neutrons so that a steady rate of fissions can be achieved. Each fission releases an amount of energy in the form of heat, which is then used in generating plant similar to that in a fossil fuelled power plant.
What type of reaction happens in a nuclear power plant?
A nuclear fission reaction occurs in a nuclear power plant. This is the process where the nucleus of an atom is split, releasing large amounts of energy in the form of heat, which is used to generate electricity.
What is it called when nuclear fission is repeated?
It is called nuclear chain fission reaction.
Where has nuclear fission been used?
Nuclear fission has been used in nuclear bombs and is currently being used in every nuclear power plant on the earth.
What would happen to a nuclear plant if the fission reaction goes critical or out of control?
There are emergency safety system that could be used to bring the nuclear plant again under control.
